POTTERY/CREATIVE RETREAT

Bookings open  

2023 
DEC- 15-20, 22-27, 29-3

2024
March- 15-20, 22-27, 29-3
Apr- 12-17, 19-24, 26-1
May-  10-15, 17-22, 24-29
June- 7-12, 14-19, 21-26, 28-3  

The idea behind this pottery/creative retreat is simple: It‘s a natural setting where you may discover inspiration and embrace your creative side while getting away from the daily grind.
The creative process of pottery–making slows down the pace of life, giving you time to recharge and replenish your creative spirit.
There could be no other medium better than the clay for such a retreat wherein clay itself and the whole process of making pottery teaches you patience, empathy, accepting changes, exploring and experimenting.
It’s also an opportunity to befriend another art enthusiast like you to connect with a community, learn a new skill, stay at a gorgeous location and experience local/mountain culture.
The retreat is put together by a skilled group of artists and facilitators. Starting on Friday afternoon and lasting until Wednesday morning, all of the retreat schedules are similar. We have room for 8 to 10 participants in each batch, depending on the studio‘s space availability.

You can join this retreat to learn basic pottery, give yourself a breather or just to pamper your creative self.

Day 1 (Friday) – Check–in before 2 PM, take your time to settle in, visit the studio, meet other people and attend your first pottery session from 4 PM – 7 PM.

Day 2,3,4,5 – These days of the retreat include group pottery sessions between 11 AM – 5:30 PM, where you will learn pottery basics (wheel throwing, hand building and surface decoration, firing and glazing) while creating your own art pieces.
Apart from the pottery sessions, there will be nature walks, yoga/meditation sessions and local sightseeing as a part of the retreat program.

Day 6 (Wednesday) – It‘s time to pack up and gaze at the Dhauladhar ranges for one last time until we see you again. The check–out is at 11 AM after breakfast.

Art pieces you made during the workshop could be fired/glazed and shipped to your address (within India) later in 4 weeks with extra charges of 700-1000/pc depending on size.

Stay 

The accommodation and studio lie amidst the pine and cedar forest, completely secluded from the hustle-bustle of the town yet easily approachable by road and just a 5-minute walk away from the village. We have single and double-occupancy rooms. We don’t put up strangers together- so you will either have the whole room or share it with someone you bring along.
All the rooms are with attached washrooms, high–speed WiFi, power backup, hot water, electric kettle, heaters/Fan private balcony and modernist aesthetics. You will have a view of the Dhauladhar mountain range from your room!
Laundry and taxi services are available at the property. 

Meals

An in–house cafeteria provides delicious and healthy vegetarian food. Vegan or gluten-free food is also available on request. All meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) are included in the price. Apart from our in–house cafe there are many other cafes to explore, just a 7-10 minutes walk away from the retreat centre.

Location

At an elevation of 2100 m, Dharamkot is a small village in Kangra district in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. Famous for yoga, meditation and Hippies since the 1970s, Dharamkot is also known as a second home for Israeli tourists coming to India. We are 2 km above McLeodGanj, which is home to the Dalai lama and the Capital of the Tibetan government–in–exile.

The Retreat Centre is located amidst the pine and cedar forest, completely secluded from the hustle–bustle of everyday life, yet easily approachable by road with a 5-minute walk to the village. Dharamkot offers wide views of the Kangra Valley and the Dhauladhar ranges. It has the world–famous Vipassana meditation centres– Dhamma Shikara and Tushita Meditation Centre.

The name Dharamkot Studio comes from the village of Dharamkot where it is located.

Weather

Mar– Jun: The summer season in the mountains can be an absolutely stunning time of year. With the snow melted away and the sun shining, the mountains come alive with an array of colours, scents, and sounds. The temperature during the day can range from pleasantly cool to warm, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities. The air is crisp and fresh, with a sweet scent of pine and other mountain flora.
Bring– Sunglasses, hiking shoes and light clothes with a jacket for cooler evenings.

July– Oct: As the rain falls, the mist rises, creating a dreamlike environment that seems to exist outside of time. In short, cedar forests in monsoon season are a feast for the senses, a place of peace and beauty that will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed. The sound of streams and waterfalls can be heard in the distance, adding to the peaceful ambience.
Bring– Hiking shoes and light clothes with a jacket for cooler evenings. Umbrellas and raincoats will be provided. 

Nov- Dec: This time is beginning of winter here, Days are mostly sunny and mild cold while nights are cold. Towards the end of December it gets colder and area might get light snowfall. The average temperature in McLeod Ganj in December for a typical day ranges from a high of 55°F (13°C) to a low of 36°F (2°C). Some would describe it as moderately chilly.
Bring– Hiking shoes and winter clothes.

Team/Studio

The retreat is curated and conducted by a team of facilitators, resident artists and guides. In Dharamkot village we run 2 studio spaces, Studio-1 is for non-residential workshops while studio-2 is for the retreats and longer courses. Studio functions like an artist community, 20-30 resident artists, students and other staff members work and live here around the year in both studio spaces. So you will be a part of this community of artists fiddling with pottery wheels or bringing their imagination to life in this idyllic sanctuary. 

How to reach

By Air – Dharamshala airport (DHM) is the nearest airport which is around 20 km (50 minutes) from the studio, Delhi, direct taxi (1200/-) to the studio will be available. 
By Bus – Overnight journey from Delhi by semi-sleeper bus. The nearest bus station is Dharamshala (8 km), and from the bus station, you can take a taxi (Rs. 600/-) to the studio.
By Train – Pathankot (85km) is the nearest railway station, from Pathankot you can take public transport to Dharamshala and then a taxi to the Studio. Or you can take a taxi from Pathankot to the studio.

Prices

FAQs

Q – Can someone who has never done Pottery before attend it?
A – Yes, even a complete beginner can join it.
Q- Can kids join the retreat? 
A- No, kids are not allowed.  
Q- Can I come a day early or extend my stay after the retreat?
A- Yes, you can come early or extend your stay, extra charges (Single occupancy room – Rs. 2000+taxes, double occupancy room Rs. 2500+taxes) will be applicable. It is suggested to extend your stay for a day if you would like to explore the area more,  we can help you with that once you are here. 
Q- Can I learn pottery in 5 days? How long does it take to learn pottery?
A- During these 5 days you will learn all the basic aspects of pottery. Though 5 days are not enough to cover this vast subject, it’s good for beginners. If you want to learn enough to work independently or take it as a serious hobby you should take our beginner’s course which is 5-10 weeks (please check our courses).
Q – Do I need to bring anything with me for the pottery workshop?
A –You just need to bring your spirit of learning and artistic streak. We provide all learning materials and art supplies to you.
Q– Are you located in a very remote location? Will I have access to the network?
A– We are located at a 5 min walk from Dharamkot village, nestled in a serene pine and cedar forest. The beauty of our Studio is its location– which will give you an experience of living in nature while being near the city centre. You will have network connectivity with major providers like Airtel, Jio etc. And we have high–speed wifi too!